I love homemade gifts, don't you?

The kids draw names for Christmas every year, and this year John got Danielle's name.

Not all of the kids make their presents, but I love it when they make at least part of it.

John and I tossed around a few ideas, He really wanted to make her present, and while shopping

at the Good Will he spotted this black lamp and it even had a great shade on it, so to 

personalize it for her we used the transfer method of photocopying an image on a laser printer,

 covering the image with gel medium, and then placing the image face down

on the shade, canvas, fabric.. you get the idea.

When the gel medium is dry you rub the paper off with water and waalaa

like magic the image is transferred to the shade!

(Danielle LOVES old Hollywood and vintage pin-up girls)

so he looked for a good one for her and found these two girls in full pin up attire.

(Well, as full as pin up attire goes!)

We then added some pleated satin and velvet trim around the top and the bottom of the shade 

to give it a more finished look.

I think it turned out fabulous!

It is sooooooo her style!

and she loved it!

What do I love most about it?

Collaborating with this guy to make it!

I loved how determined he was to make at least part of the gift that he would give his sister 

for her new apartment in Atlanta.

While John was home for Christmas we went thrifting,

Christmas shopping, visiting relatives, out to lunch with my dad and sister, Molly, played Yahtzee, we

cooked, (he taught me how to be a better vegan cook and new items to shop for), 

In fact, he cooked our entire Christmas dinner - except the ham for the carnivores!

we laughed, we had great conversations, 

(the first night he was home him, Cameron, Max and I 

stayed up until 4:00 in the morning talking, it was fabulous!)

and we created art.

It doesn't get better than that!

I had a hard time telling him good by the other day, and I hope we 

are able to see each other again soon,

cuz as all you moms know,

when your house is missing one, two, or even three of your babies,

a piece of you goes with them.

Can you feel the love?  I see it in all of these beautiful faces.

Duane's birthday is New Years day and we had a quiet dinner at home.

per his usual request.  John and Cam couldn't make it, but this picture 

says it all for me... love.

I love this lil family that I was blessed with.

Danielle moves to GA. on Friday, so this week will be 

an emotional roller coaster ride for me.

Good thing she makes me laugh like crazy,

I'm gonna need some humor!

Gotta let them fly...

and I know she will soar!

love,

Theresa xoxoxoxoxo

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